Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 May 2006
189 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department will provide significant development aid to eastern European countries in which poverty issues have clearly been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18569/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is playing its part in efforts to relieve poverty in Eastern European countries and will continue to do so. Through our membership of the European Union and the United Nations Funds and Agencies (such as UNDP and UNICEF) as well as the World Bank, Ireland contributes to the international effort to assist these countries get out of the poverty trap.
Ireland is also a member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and contributes to its multi-donor funds which focus on assistance to the poorer countries and regions in Eastern Europe where transition challenges are greatest. The progress being achieved through the EBRD's donor-funded programmes is encouraging. Results can already be seen across a range of sectors, with growth in local business activity and employment, increased financing for micro enterprises and an excellent EBRD initiative on emigrants' remittances, an important part of national incomes in the poorer countries.
Through our Irish Aid bilateral assistance programme, Ireland also aims to address poverty issues in this region. Funding for 2006 stands at €7 million, all of which will be spent on projects aimed at poverty alleviation and assistance in the process of transition to democracy. The small to medium-sized projects we fund are implemented by international organisations, intergovernmental and non-Governmental, as well as by Irish NGOs.
In addition, discussions are ongoing about the possibility of co-operation between Irish Aid and the Development Co-operation Programme of Hungary, for the benefit of Eastern Europe.
